Century Votes To Hire Hollywood, Florida, Auditing Firm
February 29, 2024
The Town of Century has hired a Hollywood, Florida, firm to complete the town’s required annual audit to submit to the state.
HCT Certified Public Accountants and Consultants, LLC (HCT) will charge $34,840 to audit the FY2023 ending September 30, 2023, according to a three-year proposal that totaled $104,510. The council, however, voted to hire the firm for just one year and negotiate any agreement going forward.
Interim Town Manager Howard Brown solicited proposals from HCT and Mauldin & Jenkins of Bradenton, Florida. Mauldin’s proposed fee was $58,700 for FY2023 and $61,000 for FY2024.
HCT has or is providing several government agencies across Florida, including Coral Springs, Dania Beach, Hollywood, Lauderhill, Miami, North Miami and Tampa, according to their proposal.
The legal deadline for submitting the Annual Financial Report, often referred to simply as an audit, to the Florida Department of Financial Services is June 30 of each year.Century has filed their audits late every year for about a decade. Each audit has found financial issues that repeat for several years without being rectified.
Century’s previous auditing firm, Warren Averett CPAs and Advisors of Pensacola, chose not to renew when their contract expired last year. Warren Averett’s other local government clients include Escambia County, the City of Pensacola, City Milton and Santa Rosa County. Brown said the town did not wish to hire Warren Averett again.
The Town of Century’s audit for the previous fiscal year shows the town is again in deteriorating financial condition.
The audit, which was due June 30, 2023, was not received and posted by the state until early 2024.
According to the 2021-2022 fiscal year audit, as of September 30, 2022:
- The Town’s overall financial condition demonstrates signs of a deteriorating financial condition described by Florida statute. Overall factors contributing to this condition include lack of short- and long-term financial planning, improper cash management activities and lack of analysis of existing tax rates and fee structures for proprietary operations. The local option sales tax revenues recorded in the special revenue fund are restricted for specific purposes; therefore, these funds will have to be repaid or it will be considered an inappropriate use of the restricted revenues. The town has experienced recurring operating deficits in the natural gas fund causing cash shortages.
- There was a deficit of $2.7 million in the town’s general fund and $1.9 million in the natural gas fund. Both of these funds have borrowed significant amounts from other funds of the town. The general fund and natural gas fund owed the special revenue fund approximately $2.8 million and $212,000, respectively. In June 2018, the council approved a repayment plan of $300 per month for the interfund loan between the general fund and special revenue fund.
- The town experienced the following cash management issues during the fiscal year, with inadequate funds held for customer deposits in the natural gas fund, and inadequate funds were held for required debt service reserves in the natural gas fund.
- The town did not properly reconcile multiple general ledger accounts as of year end. The town’s general ledger accounts should be reconciled monthly to detail subsidiary ledgers, and any reconciling items be promptly investigated and adjusted, and adequate supporting documentation for the adjustments be maintained.
- The town may have assets that have not been correctly recorded in the Town’s records, and there may be assets recorded on the Town’s records that are no longer in use or cannot be located. The town had not completed an inventory of assets on hand.
- A list of deficiencies and problems were also identified, many repeated from previous years.
Tate Lady Aggies Down Milton 7-6
February 29, 2024
Tate 7, Milton 7 (Varsity)
The Tate Lady Aggies defeated Milton 7-6 Wednesday night in Milton.
Peyton Womack earned the win for the Aggies in the circle, giving up four hits and four runs in five innings, while striking out four and walking three. Jordan Smith earned the save, going for two innings, allowing three hits and two runs while recording three strikeouts and two walks.
Womack went 2-4 at the plate for the Aggies. Smith, Amburleigh Laird, Kara Wine, Blakely Campbell, and Kaylie Mitchell each added a hit for Tate.
The Panama City Tournament is up next for the Aggies.
Tate 11, Milton 0 (JV)
Photos by Dellaina O’Donovan for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.
Tate Aggies Beat Milton 3-2
February 29, 2024
The Tate Aggies defeated Milton 3-2 Wednesday night in Milton.
Zane Warrington earned the win for the Aggies, allowing no hits and no runs over one inning, striking out one and walking two. Neal Croom opened on the mound for Tate, giving up two hits and no runs in five innings, walking one and striking out seven. Madox Land went for one-third of an inning surrendering one hit and two runs while walking two. Gabe Patterson pitched two-thirds of an inning, recording no hits, no runs, one strikeout and one walk.
Ketch King went 2-3 at the plate for Tate. Land, Bray Touchstone, Clif Quiggins, Conner Hassell, and Cole McNair each had a hit for the Aggies.
Up next, the Aggies will host Pace on Thursday with the JV at 4 p.m. at the Varsity at 7 p.m. The games were previously scheduled for Friday but were moved due to forecasted rain.
Century To Hire Procurement Consultant At Up To $34,800 Per Year
February 28, 2024
The Century Town Council has voted to hire a consultant for procurement services.
The council voted 3-1, with Shelisa Abraham dissenting, on a recommendation from Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. and interim Town Manager Howard Brown to hire Bobbi Williams of Davie, Florida, for procurement services.
The motion specifically allows Gomez to negotiate and execute a contract with Williams not to exceed $34,800 to be paid with American Rescue Plan funds. The contract will not return to the council for additional approval of terms.
“I reached out to my network, and I was able to get two proposals.” Brown said
Williams holds a masters of public administration from Nova Southeastern University and is currently the fianance manager for the Department of Public Works in Hallandale Beach, Florida, Florida, and is the assistant director/financial services manager for the Financial Services Department in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida, according to her resume. She also has experience with the City of Fort Lauderdale and the U.S. Army.
Williams estimates it will take 38 hours of her time per month for general procurement tasks. Under her proposal, she would be paid $75 an hour for fewer hours per month.
“Services includes full service municipal procurement services, such as review and recommendation of procurement policies and practices; preparation of formal and informal competitive solicitations; acquisition of commodities and services; preparation of contracts/agreements; preparation of correspondences as required for contract files, provide contract administration services, and preparation of adhoc reports as defined in the ITB (invitation to bid) and as requested, according to her proposal.
NorthEscambia.com file photo.
Century To Waive Utility Late Fees This Month After Town Hall Closure
February 28, 2024
The Town of Century will waive late fees and have no utility disconnects this month following a town hall closure.
The town hall was closed beginning Wednesday, February 21 due to a staffing shortage due to illnesses.
The town sent a public notice to NorthEscambia.com on Tuesday, February 20 about the closure, stating that another public notice would follow to announce a reopening date.
No reopening notice was ever provided to us or posted on the town’s website, but town hall was reopened Friday, February 23 after Mayor Luis Gomez, Jr. had the building “deep cleaned” the night before.
Utility bills were due by February 25 to avoid disconnection or a late fee. Gomez said the town had phone system issues on February 23, preventing some callers from reaching town hall to pay. He said any customer that was charged a late fee for their February utility bill will receive a credit for the amount on their next bill.
NorthEsambia.com file photo.
Why Did EREC Cut Off Power For Thosands? Why Wasn’t I Notified?
February 28, 2024
For about three hours Monday night and into Tuesday morning, nearly 2,100 Escambia River Electric Cooperative customers were without power in Oak Grove, Walnut Hill, Enon, Barrineau Park, Bogia and Molino areas.
The outage was from about 11 p.m. Monday to 2 a.m. for scheduled maintenance.
EREC said their supplier, PowerSouth, requested the outage to perform maintenance on the transmission line serving the Oak Grove substation. The outage impacted all EREC customers in the area served by the Oak Grove substation on Highway 99A.
“PowerSouth is currently upgrading transmission lines in our area to enhance the reliability, capacity, and robustness of the system. The outage was necessary to work on a power pole and install a switch on the upgraded line,” EREC said. ” The planned outage was scheduled during the late night hours as to not disrupt businesses, schools, etc.”
“Another planned outage is expected in the upcoming months to finalize the adjustments after the switch has been built and tested3″
EREC did work to notify members with phone calls and text messages to members with registered mobile numbers.
“If you were affected but did not receive a call or text, please contact our office to update your information,” the cooperative said, adding that they will never send a text requesting your personal information or any clickable links. This information will solely be used for informative or alert purposes.
NorthEscambia.com graphic, click to enlarge.
Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting To Be Held Thursday Evening
February 28, 2024
A Beulah Master Plan Public Meeting will be held Thursday, February 29.
The meeting will take place from 6-8 p.m. at Beulah Middle School, 6001 West Nine Mile Road.
The open house will showcase the findings from the previous public outreach efforts as well as a two-day design charrette. Sigma Consulting will discuss their methodology to develop the Beulah Master Plan and answer questions from residents. County staff will also be in attendance to address any additional questions or concerns from residents. Sign-in sheets and comment forms will be available at the door.
The Beulah Master Plan is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Treasury under the RESTORE Act program.
Escambia County staff and the consultant team will reveal the charrette results and a draft of design approaches taken for the Beulah community through collaborative community efforts.
Esambia Public Schools To Host Community ‘Podcastapalooza’ Event On Saturday
February 28, 2024
Escambia County Public Schools will hold its inaugural ‘Podcastapalooza’ event at Washington High School this Saturday, March 2, 2024, from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m.
Based upon its ‘Voices United In Education’ podcast series, ECPS is inviting the public to learn more about the various resources, agencies and opportunities available to area families.
Guests will have the opportunity to browse vendor booths, each associated with a podcast episode. Families will receive information on scholarships, free tutoring, after care programs, tools for students, balancing out screen time, and a sea of other helpful ideas and resources.
Additionally, Animal Tales will give a live presentation complete with various animals and audience participation.
One lucky guest will win a $250 Amazon gift card! Everyone will pick up fun prizes and great tips on how to help their child succeed in school.
Booker T. Washington High School is located at 6000 College Parkway in Pensacola.
Molino Man Accused Of Battery Against Two After Allegedly Asking For Drug Money
February 28, 2024
A Molino man is accused of battery against two people after he was allegedly rejected when asking for drug money.
Josie Lee Smith, 28, was charged with battery domestic violence and battery.
The Escambia County Sheriff’s Office responded to Cedartown Road where Smith allegedly attacked an adult relative and an adult female that is not a relative. One victim told deputies that Smith is “bad off” on drugs and Smith physically attacked the victim after he refused to provide money for drugs. He also punched the female in the ribs and left the home, according to an arrest report.
Smith was booked into the Escambia County Jail without bond; his bond was revoked in pending burglary case.
Northview Softball, JV Baseball Defeat Flomaton, ‘Canes Varsity Tops NHS
February 28, 2024
Here are softball and baseball recaps from Monday night:
BASEBALL
Flomaton 6, Northview 0 (Varsity)
The Flomaton Hurricanes got past Northview 6-0 Tuesday night in Flomaton.
Flomaton’s Sessions surrendered one hit and no runs while striking out 13 and walking none.
Northview’s Grady Sheffield gave up five hits and six runs in six innings, striking out sven and walking three.
Phillips went 2-2 For the ‘Canes. Tieppo, Alaniz and Newton had one hit each.
Sheffield went 1-3 for the Chiefs.
The Chiefs will host J.U. Blacksher of Uriah, Alabama, Thursday at 6:30 p.m. Flomaton will travel to Jay at 6:30 P.m. Thursday.
Northview 11, Flomaton 2, (JV)
The Northview junior varsity Chiefs defeated Flomon 11-2 in Flomaton.
Taylor Curtis started on the mound for the JV Chiefs, allowing two hits and two runs in four innings while striking out seven and walking two. Gage Harrison pitched an inning in relief for NHS, giving up no hits, striking out two and walking one.
Flomaton’s Fowler gave up nine hits and 11 runs, five of them earned, in five innings, recording two strikeouts and four walks.
Fore and Lee each had a hit for Flomaton.
Nate Jone and Tyler Gilmore had two hits each for Northview. Harrison, Brayden Gindl, Kobi Fiorenti, Luke Chavers, and Will Strawbridge, added one hit apiece.
The JV Chiefs will host J.U. Blacksher of Uriah, Alabama, Thursday at 4 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Northview 16, Flomaton 1 (Varsity)
The Northview Lady Chiefs rolled past the Flomaton Hurricanes 16-1 Thursday night in Flomaton.
Jamison Gilman opened in the circle for the Lady Chiefs, giving up no hits and no runs in three innings while striking out seven and walking none. Avery Stuckey closed in relief for Northview, surrendering three hits and one run while recording two strikeouts and one walk in three.
Flomaton’s EG Fuqua allowed eight hits and eight runs in four innings, stiking out one and walking three. Bentley Edwards pitched two innings for the ‘Canes, giving up four hits and six runs while striking out one and walking one.
Kylee Landham had a triple in the third, a double in the sixth and single in the fourth for the Chiefs. Gilman, Chloe Ragsdale, and Mikayla McAnnally each added two hits while Stuckey, Rylie Books,, Makayla Golson, Keeli Knighten and Mayson Edwards had one.
Karrie Cuts, Kailee Herndon and Rylee Rogers each had a hit for Flomaton..
The Lady Chiefs will next play in a tournament Friday and Saturday in Panama City. Flomaton will be at J.U.Blacksher at 6 p.m. Thursday.